Less Mobile Elders at Higher Risk of Blood Clots

Less Mobile Elders at Higher Risk of Blood ClotsCara2018-03-14T21:54:21+00:00

Less Mobile Elders at Higher Risk of Blood Clots

Less mobile Elders are at higher risk of blood clots which cause heart attacks and strokes. So at Daughterly Care, we want all our private in-home Nurses, In Home Care Caregivers and clients to be aware of the signs and risks of blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Our Private Registered Nurse, Charmayne has compiled valuable information on blood clots so you can take action to prevent or treat blood clots quickly.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – Signs, Symptoms and Prevention

A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins. It usually develops in the leg, most commonly in the calf and thigh, however, it may also form in the deep veins of the arms, pelvis or abdomen. When the blood flow slows or is blocked, a clot may form on the wall of a vein.

Elders at risk:

DVT is a common complication of surgery and immobility. It can occur at any age but those most at risk are adults over age 60.

Being overweight or obese is associated with reduced mobility and is a known risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

When walking, calf muscles contract and blood is pumped from the veins towards the heart. Reduced mobility causes the blood flow to become sluggish and increases the likelihood of blood clots forming. Lack of movement may occur after illness, or surgery, or travelling and sitting for long periods.

Other risk factors include a previous history of DVT, inherited clotting disorders, taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy and smoking. All these increase the risk of blood clots occurring.

One of Daughterly Care’s professional In Home Care Caregivers, Kelly noticed our elderly client had a red hot, sore leg and suggested Mrs R see a doctor about the pain in her leg. The doctor felt it was nothing to be concerned about. On Kelly’s next visit to the client, she strongly recommended the client see the doctor again and the pain in Mrs R’s leg was confirmed as a blood clot. Blood clots do kill people as they cause heart attacks and strokes. Congratulations to Kelly for her keen powers of observation.

Mrs R. sent her appreciation to us:

“I wanted to thank Kelly again for being so professional. She insisted I visit the doctor twice to make sure it wasn’t a blood clot. I am thankful, I listened. An ultrasound and X-ray confirmed it was indeed a blood clot, which I’m now getting treated.”

Signs and Symptoms

It is important to recognise that only about half of the people who have DVT, show signs and symptoms.

The signs and symptoms in the leg affected by a DVT include:

1. Swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg;

2. Pain or tenderness in the leg, which may only be felt when standing or walking;

3. Increased warmth in the area of the leg that’s swollen or painful;

4. Red or discoloured skin on the leg.

The first indication of a DVT may be the signs and symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). This is where a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, restricting blood flow and decreasing oxygen levels in the blood. It can be life threatening when the blood clot travels to your heart, therefore causing a heart attack or travels to your brain, causing a stroke.

One of the benefits of choosing Daughterly Care Nurses and Caregivers is that they are trained in the LiFe Exercise Program, which evidence based research from the University of Sydney shows reduces falls in Elders by 31%.

Thank you to Daughterly Care’s Registered Nurse, Charmayne for writing this article.